A special day looms at the Pleasant Point Cricket Club.
Their senior men’s team will get to play on the club’s new grass pitch for the first time, in their match against Timaru on Saturday.
The pitch, which was laid in April, was scheduled to be used in Point’s fixture against Star earlier in the season but with the outfield not quite ready the match was moved to Mountainview.
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Pleasant Point Cricket Club president Graham Sharp and club captain Cameron Lundie check out the newly laid pitch back in May.
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Pleasant Point Cricket Club volunteer Chris Murphy rolls the new grass wicket block at the Pleasant Point Domain.
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Work is being done on the new Pleasant Point grass wicket ahead of their first match on the pitch against Timaru.
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Pleasant Point Cricket Club members work on the grass wicket ahead of their first game on the ground on Saturday.
Saturday’s match will be of interest for most of the cricketing fraternity around how the pitch plays.
Pleasant Point Cricket Club volunteer Chris Murphy said it’s good to go.
“It’s nice and hard and looks really good. We’re happy with where it’s at.”
Murphy said numerous people throughout the club had helped get the pitch ready for this weekend.
“The guys can’t wait to get out on it and play on it.
“It’ll be cool because our reserve team are playing at home on the artificial as well so it can be like a club day.”
The biggest hindrance for Point will be the weather, with rain scheduled to fall for most of Saturday.
“We hope it stays away and hope the pitch plays well.”
Point’s wicket is incredibly hard so bounce shouldn’t be a problem.
Club captain Cameron Lundie said the team were excited to finally play at home.
“It’s been a long time coming but we’re really pleased it’s arrived. The outfield isn’t perfect but it’s certainly good to go.”
He was thankful for the help by everyone.
“It’s been a great effort and the volunteers have been awesome helping us get it done. Chris Murphy has done a lot of great work.”
Lundie said it would make for a good occasion with five teams, including three junior sides playing at the Domain this weekend.
South Canterbury Cricket chief executive Mark Medlicott said he would be watching the game with interest.
“I’m definitely intrigued to see how it goes. I’m looking forward to it.”
Medlicott said it’s great to see the club’s hard work pay off.
“They’ve been working hard to get it ready and it’s looks good. It’s nice and hard.”
He said there was a under-17 representative game scheduled for there on Sunday, so it would be getting plenty of cricket.
“Like most new things it will take a bit to get used to but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Point play three of their four second-round matches at home.